iPod Deals

News, Reviews, & Opinion

'Tremendous Demand' for Free iPhone 3GS

MacRumors' Jordan Golson reports that in a conference call last
week, AT&T Mobility President and CEO Ralph de la Vega discussed
the impact of the recent price drop on older-generation iPhones,
particularly the iPhone 3GS - the first iPhone be offered free with
2-year contract in the US.

Golson quotes de la Vega saying: "We have another device that I
think is going to dramatically change those people that are on
smartphones and quick messaging devices, the [iPhone] 3GS, which is
free with a 2-year contract. We've seen a tremendous, tremendous demand
for that device even though it's a generation old. And actually, we're
getting more new subscribers coming on the 3GS on the average than
other devices. So we also have an inventory sold out on that
device."

Why the iPad Is the Tablet to Beat for
Business

PCWorld's Angela West notes that while Android tablets' market share
is increasing, Apple is still smoking Android on sheer numbers of
tablets sold, and she contends that iPad is still the clear choice for
business. Reasons?

The cool factor

If your business is in constant contact with the public, you can
only raise your brands cachet by using iPads.

Young Android tablets and the marketplace

While the iPad has been around for a while, Android tablets with a
comparative screen size just entered the market at the end of 2010, and
most Android Marketplace apps weren't purpose-built for tablets,
whereas the iPad commands a much higher range of tablet-ready apps from
the App Store.

Android developer lag

Building an Android app isn't just a matter of translating one
written for an Apple device to Android. Apps need to be recoded from
the ground up.

Minor price difference

Android tablets that are comparable to the iPad in features tend to
be about the same price.

Cleaner user interface

Nobody has managed yet to corner the clean user experience that
Apple has offered with any of its devices.

Better productivity apps

Word processing and other office-oriented apps can make the iPad an
acceptable replacement for a laptop. The only comparable application on
Android is smartphone oriented Documents To Go

Why Apple Is Leading the Way in the Tablet
World

PC Advisor's Rosemary Hattersley says that head and shoulders above
most of the pack when it comes to looks, the Apple iPad 2 is the tablet to beat, with
its battery life, slim profile, beautiful 132 pixel-per-inch (1024 x
768 pixel) screen, and accurate onscreen keyboard being second to
none.

Harris Poll: Apple Brands Dominate Youth
Market

PR: With young Americans expected to spend $211 billion in
2012, knowing which brands they favor will help corporate America
prepare for the upcoming holiday season. A key strategic planning tool
at their disposal is the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® study by
Harris Interactive. This annual study benchmarks the brands that
America's youth prefer and those that have the ability to dominate
their industries' youth market share.

"Youth of today have spending power and they also have loyalty to
brands. Some of this comes from their parents, but they also make their
own decisions," says Regina A. Corso, Senior Vice President for Youth
and Education Research at Harris Interactive. "Brands who tap into this
loyalty when a consumer is a tween, and nurture it through the teen
years, will have an extremely loyal customer by the time the customer
is a young adult. Companies need to remember that consumers do not
magically appear at age 18."

In this critical sales ramp-up for the holiday gift-giving season,
when technology prevails and computers, tablets, and mobile phones are
at the top of wish lists, Apple brands are ranked highest among
Americans, ages 13-24, in their respective categories. Apple Computers,
iPads, and iPhones are the highest ranked Computers, Tablets, and
Mobile Phones brands, and are followed by Hewlett Packard, Motorola
Xoom, and HTC, correspondingly.

Jeni Lee Chapman, Executive Vice President of Harris' Brand and
Communication Consulting practice observes that: "This is very good
news for Apple and indicates that their masterbrand is very strong. To
have this kind of significant edge among 13-24 year olds signifies that
Apple has built a powerful equity base among their customers of today
and their customers of tomorrow." She continues, "Brands often struggle
to maintain relevancy among different generations. This data shows that
this is not going to be an issue for Apple."

And, while eight to 24 year olds have varied interests, certain
comfort foods, like cookies and candy, are timeless. For example: Oreo
Cookies and Hershey's Milk Chocolate Candy Bars are each highest ranked
in their respective categories, and sweet treat and cookie brands
receive some of the highest equity scores among those surveyed.

Category Overview

Gaming, Technology, & Telecom

Computers: Apple Computers is the highest ranked brand, followed by
Hewlett-Packard Computers and Sony Computers

Computer Tablets: iPad is the highest ranked brand, followed by
Motorola Xoom and BlackBerry PlayBook

Mobile Phones: iPhone is the highest ranked brand, followed by HTC
Phones and Samsung Phones

Fruit Flavored Drinks: Capri Sun is the highest ranked brand,
followed by Kool-Aid.

Media

Broadcast TV Networks: ABC is the highest ranked brand, followed by
Fox Television Network and CBS.

Kids TV Programming: Nickelodeon is the highest ranked brand,
followed by Disney Channel and Cartoon Network.

Social Media: YouTube.com is the highest ranked brand, followed by
Facebook.com.

This year's Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend study was conducted online
among 5,077 U.S. consumers ages 8-24 in August 2011. A total of 121
brands were rated among 8-12 year olds and 167 brands among 13-24 year
olds. Each 8-12 year old respondent was asked to rate a total of 15
randomly selected brands and each 13-24 year old respondent was asked
to rate a total of 22 randomly selected brands. Each brand received at
least 130 ratings. Data were weighted to be representative of the
entire U.S. population of consumers ages 8-24 on the basis of age sex,
education, urbanicity (8-17 year olds), race/ethnicity, region,
parental education (8-17 year olds), and income (18-24 year olds), and
data from respondents ages 18 and over were also weighted for their
propensity to be online.

Pew Survey: Most Tablet Users Won't Pay for
News

An extensive new survey by the Pew Research
Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism and The Economist Group,
entitled "The Tablet Revolution: How People Use Tablets and What it
Means for the Future of News" has some depressing news for interests
hoping that the ascendency of media tablets will serve as a lever to
monetize news dissemination on the Internet.

The researchers found that just 14% of tablet news consumers have
paid directly for news content on their tablets, while another 23% had
a subscription to a print newspaper or magazine that offered digital
access, cumulatively amounting to a modest 37%. Not only that, a large
majority of tablet users who have not paid directly for news remain
resistant to doing so, even it was the only way to get news from their
favorite sources.

The researchers conclude that
revenue potential for news on tablets may be limited, with cost a
factor even among the heavy news consuming population. Of those who
haven't paid directly, only 21% say they would be willing to spend $5
per month if that were the only way to access their favorite source on
the tablet. And of those who have news apps, fully 83% say that being
free or low cost was a major factor in their decision about what to
download.

Apple's Strategy Is Switching from Hardware to
Software

Hardmac's Lionel says that with the launch of the iPhone, Apple was
able to surprise the entire phone industry and get an incredible market
share in just a few years, but that many consider that the iPhone 4S
marks the end of hardware innovation on the iPhone (although he recalls
that the same was said after the iPhone 3GS launch). True, Apple didn't
try to revolutionize the device by changing its hardware radically, but
there's the new A5 chip - a substantial upgrade from the A4 - the new
camera, and the fixed antenna.

Lionel thinks the feature that most makes the iPhone 4S successful
is Siri, the new personal assistant, which is not hardware-based but
rather based in Apple's servers and the company's know-how, which he
observes seems to be the core of Apple's new strategy, adding services
to its hardware to add an extra value to the device. This is also true
of iCloud, iTunes Match, and probably other services to be unveiled in
the future.

How Does the iPhone 4S Camera Stack Up Against
Other Cameras?

campl.us has posted an illustrated report with photo comparisons
from all iPhone version cameras (First generation iPhone, iPhone 3G,
iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, the new iPhone 4S), a point & shoot camera,
the Canon S95 ($500), and a professional DSLR, the Canon 5DMKII
($4000+) in two situations

A macro setting to test detail and quality of the cameras;

A backlit skyline shot.

If you check it out, you'll notice that the iPhone 4S is
dramatically clearer and sharper than previous iPhone versions, and
while it's not nearing the same quality as a professional level DSLR,
it is comparable to a top of the line compact camera and even outshines
it in some ways.

Apps & Services

Encyclopædia Britannica App for iPad Now
Available for $1.99 a Month

PR: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. has announced
its encyclopedia is now available as an iPad App through the Apple App
Store. The Encyclopædia Britannica App gives mobile users the
ability to find information and explore subjects without compromise
users can feel confident that what they are searching for is accurate
and provided by professional editors and expert contributors.

Users have two choices to access the app. The first choice is
available for free and gives users complimentary high-resolution
images, maps, access to 100 free articles plus the first 100 words of
every article, and the Britannica "link map."

The second choice, for $1.99 a month, iPad users can upgrade
their app to include full access to every article in the
Encyclopædia, including more than 80,000 articles in a fully
searchable database, the ability to download information to read
offline, save and send articles, store favorites and search history and
more. iPhone, Android and Microsoft versions of the app are expected to
follow before early 2012.

"Encyclopædia Britannica is putting more than 250 years
worth of reliable information in the palm of your hand," says Greg
Barlow, Encyclopædia Britannica's senior vice president and chief
marketing officer. "For more than two centuries, Britannica has
partnered with former US and international presidents, Nobel Laureates,
scientists, and other historical figures to provide people with the
information they seek. Now that world-class information is available on
a fast, mobile platform."

Barlow adds, "Current EB.com subscribers can access the full iPad
content free of charge by using their account credentials."

PR: Nuance Communications, Inc. has announced the Dragon
Recorder app, a free application on the Apple iOS app store that makes
it possible for Dragon customers to use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
as a voice recorder to capture their own voice and transcribe their
recordings into any application on the Mac or PC with Dragon speech
recognition. The new app gives Dragon users with an iOS device the
freedom and flexibility to use their existing device as a voice
recorder, and makes it easy to transcribe their recordings to quickly
create notes, meeting minutes, emails, letters, papers, articles,
blog.

Many Dragon
customers already use digital voice recorders to capture their thoughts
on the go and then transcribe these dictations using Dragon speech
recognition. But more than half of Nuance's current Dragon customers
have requested a way to use their smartphones to the same end. The new
Dragon Recorder app addresses this need, allowing consumers to use
their existing iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to dictate high-quality
recordings and then transfer these recordings - via iTunes or a
wireless network - to their Mac or PC for a quick, easy, and accurate
transcription with Dragon speech recognition.

"We've really focused on delivering more flexibility in Dragon, so
that our customers can use Dragon the way that they work and live,"
says Peter Mahoney, senior vice president and general manager, Dragon,
Nuance. "Most recently with the introduction of our Dragon Remote Mic
app, we added the ability to use the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch as a
wireless mic with Dragon. Now, the Dragon Recorder app takes it a step
further by allowing more of our customers to take advantage of remote
on-the-go dictation with a device that they are already carrying so
that they can capture their creative ideas and thoughts quickly and
accurately, no matter where they are."

The free Dragon Recorder app allows Dragon customers to dictate text
anytime, anywhere, capturing high-quality audio files using their
existing iPhone, iPad or iPod touch (4th gen). Users can play back,
fast forward, rewind, and append to their recordings as necessary and
then use either iTunes or a WiFi network to transfer their audio files
from the mobile device to their PC or Mac for an accurate transcription
from Dragon NaturallySpeaking or MacSpeech Scribe. Those customers who
require advanced recorder capabilities can continue to rely on Dragon's
ability to transcribe audio files from the industry's leading digital
voice recorders.

Benefits of Dragon Recorder

Boost Productivity by Recording Audio Files Anytime,
Anywhere

The Dragon Recorder app delivers productivity benefits even when
you're away from your desk. Capture thoughts and ideas or the content
of complete documents by turning your iPhone, iPad or iPod (4th gen)
into a digital recorder when you're on the go. Forget about the tedious
and time-consuming task previously associated with transcribing your
dictated text. Dragon NaturallySpeaking and MacSpeech Scribe can be
used to deliver an accurate written transcript of your dictation.

Carry One Device

By installing on a mobile device that Dragon customers already have,
Dragon Recorder eliminates the need to carry more than one device to
capture notes, reports, and other documents when you're on the go. I
don't always have a recorder, but I always have my iPhone with me,
explains one Dragon customer.

Convenient Recording Features

Play back, rewind, fast forward and delete the audio recordings with
ease.

Records in WAV Format

The Dragon Recorder app captures audio in .wav format, allowing it
to deliver the same audio quality as most standard digital recorders.
Record files as large as the available memory in your device. (The
recording will stop automatically when the available memory fills
up.)

Wirelessly Transfer Audio to PC or Mac With Ease

Many of the customers who use Dragon speech recognition to
transcribe audio files can be frustrated and confused by the diverse
practices used to transfer audio files to a PC or Mac. But with the
Dragon Recorder app, its easy: as long as the computer and mobile
device are on the same network, the audio files are transferred
wirelessly for seamless convenience. Customers can also use iTunes to
transfer their recordings to the PC or Mac.

System Requirements: The Dragon Recorder app installs and runs on
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (4th gen). Files are transferred using
WiFi or iTunes. To use the wireless feature, your computer and iPhone
must be on the same WiFi network. Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Premium,
Professional or Legal edition) required for PC use; MacSpeech Scribe
required for Mac use.

The new Dragon Recorder app is available immediately as a free
download in the Apple App Store worldwide with support for English,
French and German languages. (US download here). Simply follow the
instructions included with Dragon Recorder to get started.

VueScan Mobile Scanning from Your iPhone, iPad, or
iPod touch

PR: Hamrick Software's VueScan Mobile App for iPad, iPhone
and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. VueScan Mobile allows
you to seamlessly scan documents and photos straight to your iPad,
iPhone or iPod touch from any HP, Canon or Epson WiFi
printer/scanner.

VueScan Mobile uses the WiFi connection on your iOS device to
find scanners connected to the same WiFi network. If the scanner has a
document feeder, VueScan first checks to see if there is a document in
the feeder, otherwise it scans from the flatbed.

In addition to sending via e-mail and saving to the Photos App,
VueScan Mobile allows you to save scanned images to your favorite iOS
apps that can open PDF or JPEG files, such as iBooks, Dropbox,
GoodReader, and Evernote.

"We are
excited to bring VueScan Mobile to the App Store," says Ed Hamrick,
President of Hamrick Software. "The VueScan Mobile App makes scanning
extremely convenient. Simply press the green Scan button and, in a few
seconds, the document will appear on your iPad, iPhone or iPod
touch."

In addition to sending via Email and saving to the Photos App,
VueScan Mobile allows you to save scanned images to your favorite iOS
apps that can open PDF or JPEG files such as iBooks, Dropbox,
GoodReader, Evernote, etc.

VueScan
Mobile uses the WiFi interface of iOS devices to search for Epson,
Canon, and HP on the same network. It sends an mDNS inquiry to port
5353 on address 224.0.0.251, which Epson and HP scanners will respond
to. It also sends a Canon BJNP Discover command to port 8612 on address
224.0.0.1, which Canon printer/scanner/copiers will respond to.

VueScan
Mobile and the desktop version of VueScan use the same source code to
control the scanners, so VueScan Mobile benefits from the many years of
experience Hamrick Software has with Epson, Canon and HP scanners.

Tiny Magazine K Composite Demonstrates iPad's
Power for Small Publishers

PR: First launched as a fanzine in the 1990s, editor
Scott Ritcher started K Composite Magazine by publishing interviews of
his friends in Louisville, Kentucky. The new issue, however, is a
technological world away from its photocopied roots.

Available as a free iPad app, the new edition features lush layouts
and flexible layers. When readers rotate their iPad from portrait to
landscape mode, layout elements magically glide into new positions
optimized for that orientation.

The app's cool features are only a small part of what Ritcher says
are the huge advantages that publishing to the iPad holds over
distributing his niche magazine on paper.

"The iPad is an amazing opportunity for publishers, especially
independents," Ritcher says. "Small publications like K Composite are
always limited by how many pages we can print, how many can be in
color, the costs of paper and shipping. Publishing to the iPad smashes
these limitations."

K Composite for
iPad was built with software called Mag+ which has been employed by the
likes of Popular Science, Transworld Snowboarding, Maxim and furniture
maker IKEA, for their iPad editions. Mag+ became available to small
publishers in April, and K Composite is one of the first to put it to
use.

Accessories

Apple Drops Orange iPad 2 Smart Cover, Adds Dark
Gray

Concurrent with Monday's quiet MacBook Pro refresh (see The Late 2011 MacBook Pro
Value Equation for details), Apple has also updated its iPad 2
Smart Covers, the most significant change being that the orange version
has been replaced with a new dark gray cover. Other changes include
matching interior and exterior color. Reports also indicate that the
colors on the polyurethane models are more vibrant.

Apple also offers five aniline-dyed Italian leather Smart Covers,
but aside from the navy version reportedly being tweaked to make it
"more navy" than the original version, the leather colors (tan, black,
cream, and red) remain unchanged.

The Smart Cover was designed alongside iPad 2 to be a perfect
match: a thin, durable cover that magnetically aligns for a perfect
fit. It automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad. It's also a handy
stand for reading, watching, and typing, and its microfiber lining
keeps your iPad screen clean. The Smart Cover protects your iPad screen
without covering up its durable aluminum back, so your iPad still looks
and feels like an iPad - just with a little extra protection.

Open the Smart Cover, and iPad "magically" wakes up. Close it, and
iPad automatically goes to sleep. The Smart Cover also does double duty
as a keyboard stand. Fold it back to tilt iPad into a comfortable
writing position. It also folds in just the right places to become the
perfect FaceTime and movie-watching stand.

PR: Designed to get images from a DSLR to an iPad
quickly and with zero fuss, these tiny CF and SD iPad card readers can
give you just that, neutralizing the complaint that the iPad doesn't
come with a card reader. These adapters from PhotoJoJo more than make
up for that.

Simply plug an adapter into the iPad, pop in a memory card and
the Photos app will open - letting you upload files in one step. No
nasty cables and the readers also feature USB input for flash drives
and cameras with internal memory. Connect them through your iPad's dock
port, and upload in one step. Reviewing photos on your iPad is much
easier than on a tiny LCD screen, and whether you shoot CF or SD,
you're covered.

You can also upload photos directly from your camera via a USB
port. Just slip the reader into your iPad's dock port, and you're ready
to upload photos.

Great for organizing and editing on the go. It's small, so it'll fit
in your bag and doesn't get in your way.

Presentation & Protection

iProtection for iPhone 4S from OtterBox

PR: Packed between thin glass and stainless steel, the iPhone
4S integrates powerful hardware, an impressive mobile operating system
as well as endless applications and services. For every square
millimeter Apple engineers meticulously designed, OtterBox introduces
iProtection: four series of custom cases for varying device
devotees.

"Steve
Jobs was a true inspiration, a visionary, and brought so much to our
daily lives," says OtterBox Founder and CEO Curt Richardson. "The new
iPhone and so many other technologies are the legacy of this
influential man. We are honored to work within this industry to
continue to honor his innovations."

The OtterBox Defender Series is the ultimate bodyguard for the new
Siri assistant and other advancements of the iPhone 4S. This is the
original multilayered case: a built-in screen shield, sturdy
polycarbonate shell and robust silicone outer layer keep the smartphone
safe from scratches, dust and drops. A wide range of colors are offered
including Realtree camo designs. For those interested in handsfree
carrying, a holster-style swivel belt clip is also included.

Sleek, adaptive protection is provided by the Reflex Series. This
case is a slim fit, single layer style easy to install or uninstall for
quick docking. Reflex Zones!" in the corners absorb impact when dropped
so the device does not. A self-adhering screen protector is included to
prevent scratching.

The OtterBox Commuter Series is the pocket protector for the iPhone
4S users will want to use, its slick exterior slides in and out of a
pocket, purse or bag easily. The silicone and polycarbonate combination
offers strength and style in a variety of different colors. Also
included for additional defense is a self-adhering screen
protector.

Durable silicone and innovative inner coring comfort the iPhone 4S
in a simple yet substantial form with the Impact Series. This is an
ideal case for those wanting additional fortification against potential
scuffs and scratches. Similar to other OtterBox lines, the Impact
Series provides a self-adhering screen protector.

Sometimes what you want is exactly what you need. OtterBox bridges
the gap between accessory and necessity with protective cases for what
is known as the most amazing iPhone yet.

Notes:

Defender Series and Reflex Series cases not protected
against water. Will provide some added protection against bump, drop,
and shock.

Commuter Series and Impact Series cases not protected
against water. Will provide some added protection against bump and
shock.

The Skinny: A Slim New iPad 2 Case with Built-in
Keyboard

PR: Startup company Hatch & Co., is presenting their
first product, the, Skinny: a stylish faux leather iPad 2 case that
also integrates what is claimed to be the world's slimmest and lightest
wireless keyboard.

Unlike other iPad keyboards that use thick chiclet keys, the Skinny
wireless keyboard breaks the mold with its unique use of touch
technology. This enables the Skinny keyboard to be ultra thin,
measuring only 0.07 inches. Plus, this makes the Skinny keyboard
spill-proof.

All
these design features make this Apple accessory a great gift idea for
the coming holiday season.

"Pushing the innovation envelope is what we're all about at Hatch
& Co. and we are excited to see how others in the Apple and gadget
communities will respond to what we have accomplished with the Skinny
iPad 2 Keyboard Case," says Kenny Chen, General Manager of Hatch &
Co.

Cutting Edge: Unlike other iPad keyboards that use chiclet keys,
the Skinny's QWERTY keyboard uses ultrathin touch technology, developed
originally for mobile phones, making it incredibly responsive.
Furthermore, the keyboard keys have a special texture to enhance their
feel and usability.

Tough: Unlike the competition, the Skinny's keyboard is spill-proof
and dustproof, making it a fantastic choice for users who regularly
find themselves at coffee shops and restaurants.

Wireless: Bluetooth capabilities allow the Skinny to pair with any
iPad as well as iPhones.

Power Saving: Special sensor automatically wakes up the iPad when
the case is opened and puts it to sleep when the case is closed.

Long Battery Life: The high-quality battery lasts for sixty-eight
hours of continuous use. The included USB battery charger returns
keyboard power to full in about two hours.

Convenience: Multimedia hotkeys allow easy navigation home, as
well as to control volume, music, and input language. Additionally,
four small LED lights indicate low battery, currently charging,
caps/symbol lock, and currently connected.

Sophisticated Casing: Side grips secure the iPad with protection
for each corner while leaving space along the edges to expose the
iPad's built-in speakers, ports, and power switch. Additionally, a
small cut out in the backing exposes the iPad's camera for easy
use.

Stylish Coloring: Black with gray accenting or white with brown
accenting. In the black version, the keyboard's color goes from light
gray to dark gray and in the white version from light brown to dark
brown.

The Skinny is designed for entrepreneurs and professionals who are
always on the go and require trendy aesthetic protection for their iPad
2, as well as the convenience of a responsive and accurate keyboard.
Perfect for taking notes during meetings, recording ideas during
creative coffee breaks, and efficient social messaging, the Skinny iPad
2 wireless keyboard case's super light design enables users to get all
of the advantages of having protection for their iPad 2, plus a
keyboard, with almost no additional weight or bulk.

"Cutting edge, functional, and sophisticated is what we were going
for when we designed the Skinny and we are energized through our
success," says Mao Wang, Creative Director of Hatch & Co.